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RADWIMPS Release Music Video for ‘Nakidashisou da yo feat. Aimyon’

RADWIMPS finally dropped their highly-anticipated album ANTI ANTI GENERATION on December 12. In line with its release the four-piece rock band has posted a music video for their new song Nakidashisou da yo which was written in collaboration with singer-songwriter Aiymon.

The music video features lead vocalist and Yojiro Noda and Aimyon playing the part of two former lovers sat across one another on swings reminiscing through memories.

The DVD/Blu-ray release of the band’s “Road to Catharsis Tour 2018” was released simultaneously alongside the new album.

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Weathering with You Anime Film Limited Edition Soundtrack by RADWIMPS Announced

The latest blockbuster hit from legendary animator and film director Makoto Shinkai Weathering with You dropped back in July and has since amassed over 10 billion yen (approximately US$101 million) in the box office. Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, who are responsible for the film’s entire soundtrack, have announced that they will release a new album entitled Weathering with You complete version on November 27, 2019.

The album will include all 5 main themes, including both the full versions and versions edited down for the film. This includes Grand Escape which features Japanese singer and actress Toka Miura which she performed together with RADWIMPS for the first time recently to close the band’s show at Yokohama Arena.

The album is set to be released in several versions, including a limited pressing edition which comes in a gorgeous box. This special edition not only features all of the aforementioned tracks, but English versions of the five main themes too, as well as a music video for Grand Escape feat. Toka Miura featuring clips from the film, an art book, and more.

It has also been announced that the first press limited edition of the Your Name soundtrack, which sold out instantly back in 2016, will receive reprints on November 27.

The Weathering with You soundtrack will also be released on vinyl on December 11.

Information

Weathering with You complete version [Limited Pressing Edition Box]

Release Date: November 27, 2019

Price: ¥7,500 (Before Tax) [UPCH-29353]

Content: CD, DVD & Art Book

*CD includes all 5 main theme songs from the film, both full and edited versions, in Japanese and English. Does not include the songs from the Weathering with You soundtrack released on July 19, 2019.

*DVD includes Grand Escape feat. Toka Miura music video featuring clips from the film and the music video for Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai.

*Art book includes photos of RADWIMPS and cuts from the film, bringing together the real world with the world of the film in a gorgeous mash-up. Two books in one. Size: 180mm x 202mm.

RADWIMPS Release Weathering with You Album And Music Video For Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai

Following the successful film Your Name, Makoto Shinkai has produced yet another masterpiece called Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko), collaborating yet again with RADWIMPS. RADWIMPS’ released their brand new album called Weathering with You (Tenki no Ko) on July 19. Until now, their song Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai has made quite a few brief appearances in the promotion in the movie including in the movie trailers and has stirred quite a sensation.

Today, along with the release of the album, the official music video went public. Each scene of the video has been depicted beautifully. As the weather changes, each scene shifts perfectly in response, portraying the beautiful world of the film flawlessly. The music is filled with the strong and intense yet gentle and kind vibes of RADWIMPS that you absolutely cannot miss.

The new album includes a total of 31 songs, consisting of the five main theme songs and the 26 songs that are used as background music in the film. Please check out their emotion-filled album and then see the movie for yourself to see just how RADWIMPS have added colour and emotion to scenes of the film. All songs from the album have been released by major streaming services such as iTunes and Rekchok, so please check it out.

There is also a special bonus scheme running to treat those who purchase the new album from a shop. The bonus involves the free giveaway of a CD-sized card with a special design that represents the five main songs from the album. The pattern on the card varies from shop to shop, so please find out more information about this scheme by visiting their official website if you are interested.

RADWIMPS Weathering with You Anime Film 5 Main Themes Unveiled

The titles of all five theme song from RADWIMPS new album Weathering with You, which is set for release on July 19, have been unveiled. RADWIMPS are in charge of the anime film’s soundtrack, following their work on Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 film Your Name.

We have already heard Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai and Grand Escape (Movie edit) feat. Toko Miura in the film trailers. The other three tracks are titled Kaze-tachi no Koe (Movie edit), Shukusai (Movie edit) feat. Toko Miura, and Daijoubu (Movie edit). The entire soundtrack will consist of 31 tracks divided into 5 theme songs with vocals and 26 BGM tracks. We look forward to seeing at what point each of these songs will feature in the film.

Fans of RADWIMPS and the film can get their their hands on five different CD size cards related to each respective theme song when purchasing the album at select stores in Japan. Full details below.

‘Weathering with You’ Special Trailer

The gorgeous new extended trailer released yesterday looks back at Makoto Shinkai’s works and how his style has developed over the years.

Concert Review: RADWIMPS Open Japan Tour With 2 Nights in Chiba to Crowd of 70,000

RADWIMPS played at ZOZO Marine Stadium in Chiba on June 22 and 23. Across the two days they performed in front of 70,000 people.

The three-piece rock band began their 2018 “ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR” in Nagano on June 8. The tour is still ongoing and so full details on the full set-list are being kept under wraps, but this is a review of the band’s first night in Chiba.

The introductory background music sounded throughout the outdoor stadium ten minutes after the scheduled start time of 6PM. The entire area rung with the sound of 37,000 howling voices as the members stepped onto the stage. The crowd clapped along to the dynamic beats of the song as they sung while colourful motion graphics were projected onto the stage’s huge LED screen.

Yojiro Noda (Vocals/Guitar/Piano) screamed at the crowd, “Are you ready!?” after which support members Mori Mizuki and Toshiki Hata, both on drums, switched the gear into overdrive. Guitarist Akira Kuwahara and bassist Yusuke Takeda joined Noda in walking up and down the stage freely, aggressively shredding their instruments to stir up the crowd’s excitement.

Noda was the first to give an MC: “This is our first headline stadium show. Thank you for selling it out! Seems like something big is happening today, am I right!?”

Surely enough this was the first headline show at a stadium for RADWIMPS, and that fact laced a special mood and atmosphere throughout the entire concert. Their performance was proof of their unrivalled musicianship which was imbued with a scale fitting for stadium level.

During Banzai Sensho, both the band members and the fans came together to sing together powerfully and in unison. They livened things up with PAPARAZZI, a song that has dark aspects but is also sensational. They also performed the familiar Oshamashama which reverberated even more than usual as Yoda introduced each member who battled it out with their own solos.

Yoda also said the following: “The rain has stopped, hasn’t it? I guess we really are weathering with you!”

This was of course a reference to Weathering with You, the newest animated film from Makoto Shinkai which RADWIMPS wrote the soundtrack for. They also wrote the soundtrack for Your Name. also by Shinkai. The weather and set list lined up perfectly as the band went on to perform one of the main themes from the upcoming movie, Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai.

The song wove together gentleness and intensity into one. It is a ballad that is human yet mystical throughout. At the end of the performance, the band also announced details on the film’s soundtrack as well as details surrounding the film which is set for release on July 19, 2019.

RADWIMPS’s tour will wrap up with two final shows at Marine Messe in Fukuoka on August 13 and 14.

Anime Film ‘Weathering with You’ Trailer Released Featuring Main Theme by RADWIMPS & Toko Miura

A new 90-second trailer has just been released for Weathering with You, the next animated film by internationally acclaimed Japanese director Makoto Shinkai (Your Name., The Garden of Words).

The film’s soundtrack is being left to rock band RADWIMPS, and in the new trailer, we get to hear two main theme songs: Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai as well as the new Grand Escape (Movie edit) which features Japanese actress Toko Miura. Check it out below.

As Makoto Shinkai himself spoke about, the trailer features an array of sounds, from the howling wind and patter of the rain to the summery music of RADWIMPS and clear, beautiful and mysterious voice of Toko Miura.

Grand Escape (Movie edit) feat. Toko Miura came about after RADWIMPS vocalist Yojiro Noda expressed his desire to have a female vocalist sing in place of him. The song sees Toko Miura take over as the main vocalist of the track in which the world finally gets to hear the power of expression in her voice.

The trailer details additional members to the voice cast. This includes lauded actor and a spearhead of the Japanese film industry Shun Oguri who is set to appear in the upcoming Godzilla vs. Kong film in 2020. He will play the role of Keisuke Suga, a writer who meets the protagonist Hodaka Morishima while they are both on a ferry to Tokyo.

Actress and model Tsubasa Honda, who is noted for the diversity of her work, will voice Natsume, a college student who works in the same company as Suga and has a fiery curiosity for gathering information to write about. Legendary actress Chieko Baisho will voice the elderly lady Tomi who makes a request of the two main characters Hodaka and Hina.

The other just-announced cast also includes Sakura Kiryu as Nagisa Amano, an elementary school student and younger brother of Hina; Sei Hiraizumi as Yasui, an old police detective who pays a visit to Suga’s office after an incident in the city; and Yuuki Kaji as Takai, another detective and Yasui’s accomplice who appears before Hodaka and the others as part of the investigation.

The above-pictured new key visual was also released alongside the trailer. It pictures the moment when the rain finally lets up and the sun starts to shine through the clouds. The beautiful image is inherently Makoto Shinkai-esque.

The film’s soundtrack by RADWIMPS will drop on July 19, the same date the film itself is set for release. It will feature five main theme songs with vocals including the two in the trailer as well as 27 instrumental tracks.

It was revealed last month that Japanese rock band RADWIMPS will perform the soundtrack for the upcoming animated film Weathering with You which is being written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. RADWIMPS teaming up with Shinkai caused an uproar of excitement within the anime community.

It has now been announced that RADWIMPS are set to collaborate with female actress Toko Miura on the soundtrack.

The idea to have Miura on board began with RADWIMPS vocalist Yojiro Noda wanted to have somebody else sing instead of him, specifically a female singer. Over a period of one year the band held auditions to find the perfect female voice that best fits with the film. After listening to many applicants, the voice to grab the hearts of both RADWIMPS and film director Makoto Shinkai was that by young female actress Toko Miura who has received high praise for throughout her filmography, including that in the 2015 Japanese drama comedy One Huff and Puff Journey, as well as drama series, but with this decision in place she is now sure to garner huge attention for her singing ability.

Noda commended the mysterious power Miura’s voice which he said brings on the sun no matter the weather.

Further details on the film’s soundtrack, which is set for release on the same day as the film, have also been announced. It will feature five main theme songs with vocals including Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai which can be heard in the film’s promo, as well as 27 instrumental tracks.

The story of Weathering with You follows Hodaka Morishima, a high school student who leaves his home on an island to move to Tokyo. He finds a job as a writer but when he starts working he finds that it rains every single day. He meets a mysterious young girl named Hina Amano who is able to manipulate the weather to stop the rain and clear the sky.

Ever since Shinkai sent RADWIMPS the film’s script back in summer 2017 he and the band have had regular secret meetings to bring their next collaboration to fruition following the success of the band’s work on the director’s own Your Name. (2016).

Speaking about the band’s work with Toko Miura, Yojiro Noda comments: “When it was decided that we would write the music for Weathering with You, I was allowed to give some of my own suggestions. The first thing was that I wanted to have a song in there sung by someone other than myself, a female voice. The reason for that was because I wanted to have a different perspective from [Your Name], and because I wanted the song to have a bigger sense of presence, something with the female [voice] has, which would encapsulate the film. So we decided to hold auditions which lasted around a year.”

He continues: “The moment Miura let out her voice, it had this overwhelming and strange power which I feel could bring on the sun no matter the weather. Though it was raw and didn’t have any editing on it yet, it was a great thing for this film to bring her on board to sing the song. I look forward to hearing what she will sing next after this film.”

The film’s director Shinkai Makoto also spoke of Miura: “An actor or actress’s voice sounds more like something from the real world as it is. It carries something that exceeds the person’s emotions a little. That’s the impression I had with Toko Miura’s voice. ‘Let’s make the instant Toko’s voice shines the instant that the movie shines’ Those are the kind of things I spoke about with RADWIMPS when creating the film. I hope that you all look for that instant in the cinema.”

Toko Miura herself also commented: “When I first had the pleasure to meet the Weathering with You team, I really felt how much time and love they had all put into the film. I’m so happy from the bottom of my heart that they have entrusted those same feelings to my voice. The recording was carried out slowly and carefully under Noda’s directions over two months. When the finished music arrived, I listened to it, sang, sent it back, repeat. It was like sending letters back and forth to each other, it was a lot of fun. It’s a kind song that watches over the two [protagonists] in the film and occasionally cheers them on. I look forward to the day everyone gets to hear it and watch the film.”

RADWIMPS Will Perform Soundtrack for Makoto Shinkai’s New Film ‘Weathering With You’

It has been announced that Japanese rock band RADWIMPS will perform the soundtrack for the upcoming animated film Weathering with You written and directed by Makoto Shinkai. The film is set for release on July 19, 2019.

The veil has finally been lifted on the highly-anticipated next movie from Shinkai with the first promo video that also features the main theme song by RADWIMPS.

It has already been three years since Makoto Shinkai’s 2016 film phenomenon Your Name. took the world by storm. The romantic fantasy drama also featured music written by RADWIMPS. The theme song written by them for Shinkai’s new animated feature is entitled Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai. When Shinkai received the song he felt strongly that this was a film he had to make.

The story follows Hodaka Morishima, a high school student who leaves his home on an island to move to Tokyo. He finds a job as a writer but when he starts working he finds that it rains every single day. He meets a mysterious young girl named Hina Amano who is able to manipulate the weather to stop the rain and clear the sky.

The promo video that was released today features scenes compiled by Shinkai himself. We see once more the beautifully delicate world that Shinkai has crafted with the sky and rain. We also get to hear RADWIMPS’s song which elevates the emotional tone of the visuals.

Shinkai first made the offer to RADWIMPS for this film in August 2017. Like with Your Name., he and the band have had regular meetings throughout the entire writing and production process. The film will contain many vocals parts written by RADWIMPS for important scenes in addition to the rest of the soundtrack.

Yojiro Noda, the frontman for RADWIMPS, released the following statement regarding their involvement: “We are RADWIMPS and we have been tasked with writing the music for Makoto Shinkai’s film Weathering with You. In the summer of 2017, we suddenly received an e-mail from him asking if we would read the film script. I replied saying I would gladly do so. That’s where our story with Weathering with You begins.”

He continues: “Even now they are working diligently on the film. We have been given the chance to be involved in the story side of things more than last time. I feel happy to be able to work on something with such stable teamwork. Every single day we are e-mailing Shinkai back and forth as we progress with the work. Perhaps we’re even more incessant than couples in love. Shinkai is no different from the first time we worked with him. He looks at his work more dead on, genuinely, stubbornly, and sometimes clumsily than anyone else. And all the staff are fully supporting him. I am proud to have the opportunity to join him on a new adventure once more.”

He finishes by saying: “I sometimes feel as if I’ve hit a wall, but I will squirm my way forward. I will go with eagerness and not lose just like Hodaka and Hina [in the film]. I hope everyone who watches this film are filled with sunny joy. Please look forward to it.”

Director Makoto Shinkai also commented on working with RADWIMPS for the music: “I sent Yojiro the script for Weathering with You that I had then only just completed on August 26, 2017, exactly a year after the release of Your Name.. At first, I hadn’t intended to send him an offer to write the music, but I personally had to know what kind of sounds he could hear in his head from reading this script. I subsequently received [the song] Ai ni Dekiru Koto wa Mada Aru Kai, and felt strongly that this was a film I had to make. I understood deeply within myself the reason why I had sent Yojiro the script.”

He continues: “The first conversation I had with them when it was decided that we would make the film together with RADWIMPS once more was: ‘Let’s do this as if it’s our first time’ and ‘Let’s do something different from before.’ We wouldn’t do the same thing but we would do something more interesting. Because we worked together every single time, and with Your Name. in mind, I felt in my mind that we would be able to deliver to viewers something even better. That’s the same for the film overall. It’s different from last time, but to ensure there’s even more surprise and excitement packed in, the staff are giving it everything they’ve got right now.”

He concludes: “I would be overjoyed if people look forward to seeing and hearing the new story and music.”

Japanese Music Artists Performing Overseas in 2019: Part 2

With March almost at an end, the number of Japanese artists announcing performances overseas continues to rise. This is a list of 7 Japanese artists performing outside Japan in the first half of 2019.

・TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure has received huge international attention for his collaborations with Tokyo Ghoul which have been enjoyed by countless non-Japanese fans on music streaming services. This includes unravel which was used as Tokyo Ghoul’s first opening theme, and katharsis, the second opening theme for season two of Tokyo Ghoul:re. The singer is set to take his ‘katharsis Tour’ to Asia this April.

Kana Hanazawa is lauded for her immense work in voice acting. She is also hugely successful as an artist and singer.

Hanazawa is set to become the first Japanese female solo artist to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on April 14, 2019. She boasts overwhelming popularity in China for her work in anime as well as her hit songs. Her Chinese fans’ dreams are about to be realised as she performs for them a long-awaited show.

RADWIMPS dropped their recent album ANTI ANTI GENERATION in December last year and recently announced a live tour which includes their first ever solo stadium show. The band are also set to perform two dates at the 2019 Strawberry Music Festival in China.

ONE OK ROCK has become one of the most popular Japanese rock bands overseas. They recently released their first album in nearly two years Eye of the Storm on February 13, 2019 and have announced a 10-date UK & European tour set to take place throughout May.

Aimer recently announced that she will head to Asia in June on a 5-date tour entitled Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour. She previously performed in Asia last year alongside amazarashi, but this marks her first ever solo tour thhere. The theme of the tour is “sun and rain” which ties in with the concepts behind her forthcoming albums Sun Dance and Penny Rain.

Suchmos will release their 3rd studio album THE ANYMAL on March 27, 2019. The rock group are currently knee deep in their 2019 arena tour and are set to perform alongside HYUKOH in Seoul, South Korea in June. Tickets go on sale on April 2 at 12:00 (South Korea time).

It has been announced that Wednesday Campanella will perform at the Second Sky Music Festival at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, California on June 15. This marks Wednesday Campanella’s second time performing at a festival in the US following her appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw in October 2017.

RADWIMPS have announced a new nationwide tour titled ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019 to promote their latest album ANTI ANTI GENERATION which was released on December 12, 2018. It will take the band to 10 locations around Japan for 17 performances including their first ever solo stadium concert. Pre-sale tickets went live on their website on February 22 at 17:00 (JST).

ANTI ANTI GENERATION features guest appearances from ONE OK ROCK frontman Taka, singer-songwriter Aimyon, New York-based rapper Miyachi, and Tabu Zombie of SOIL&”PIMP”SESSIONS. It also includes the songs Banzai Senshou and Seikai which the band performed at NHK’s “18 Fes” last year, an exclusive live event for 18 year old fans.

RADWIMPS have just released the English version of their song PAPARAZZI ~*Kono Monogatari wa Fiction Desu~ digitally on iTunes, Spotify, Apple Music and other digital music platforms. The song is taken from their latest album ANTI ANTI GENERATION which was released on December 12 last year.

ANTI ANTI GENERATION include the songs Banzai Senshou and Seikai which the band performed at NHK’s “18 Fes” last year, an exclusive live event for 18 year old fans. The live performances were posted onto NHK’s official YouTube channel last month. Check them out below.

RADWIMPS – “Banzai Senshou” @ 18 Fes

RADWIMPS – “Seikai” @ 18 Fes

Information

ANTI ANTI GENERATION Vinyl Edition

On Sale: March 27, 2019

Vinyl Edition (2 Discs, 33 RPM): ¥4,800 (+Tax) [UPJH-20010/1]

Order Deadline: January 22, 2019

ANTI ANTI GENERATION CD

Released: December 12, 2018

First Press Limited Edition (CD+DVD): ¥3,800 (+Tax) [UPCH-29313]

Regular Edition (CD-Only): ¥3,000 (+Tax) [UPCH-20503]

*The First Press Limited Edition features a documentary and interview with the members discussing their activity since releasing Your Name. and Human Bloom.

Takayuki Yamada is an actor whose name represents Japan in both name and reality. He is producing in the upcoming drama movie Day and Night starring Shin’nosuke Abe.

This completely original film tackles both the virtue and wickedness in humans. The story follows characters who juggle between what they find right and wrong as a result of a family have their life snatched away.

It is directed by Michihito Fujii who has worked on both drama series such as Million Yen Women and film like 7s. His latest film, We Are, was released on December 7, 2018.

Day and Night’s main theme song Kimagure Kumo was written, composed and produced by Yojiro Noda (RADWIMPS, illion). The song was released digitally on January 25, 2019. Noda received an offer to write the song from the film’s producer Takayuki Yamada.

Hear the song in the latest preview for the film below.

The song features vocals by Kaya Kiyohara who plays the role of Nana Ōno in the film.

RADWIMPS performed a one-off concert titled RADWIMPS 18 Fes last year which saw 1,000 lucky 18-year-old fans come together. Originally broadcast by NHK in October last year, NHK has uploaded the band’s performances of Banzai Senshou and Seikai on their official YouTube channel.

Fans were chosen based on videos they had to make where they would express their dreams and wishes. These videos also served as a foundation for RADWIMPS to write these two songs.

After the performances were shown on NHK there was demand for rebroadcasts and people searching for the chorus music sheets online. Now fans can watch the performances at this special concert as many times as they like.

RADWIMPS – “Banzai Senshou” @ 18 Fes

RADWIMPS – “Seikai” @ 18 Fes

RADWIMPS released their latest album ANTI ANTI GENERATION on December 12 last year which made it to No. 1 on Oricon’s Weekly Album Ranking, CD Album Ranking and Digital Ranking. Both Banzai Senshou and Seikai (18FES ver.) are included on the album.

The album will be released on vinyl on March 27. These are limited pressing editions so will only be available for a short time. The deadline for ordering a copy is January 22.

Information

ANTI ANTI GENERATION Vinyl Edition

On Sale: March 27, 2019

Vinyl Edition (2 Discs, 33 RPM): ¥4,800 (+Tax) [UPJH-20010/1]

Order Deadline: January 22, 2019

ANTI ANTI GENERATION CD

Released: December 12, 2018

First Press Limited Edition (CD+DVD): ¥3,800 (+Tax) [UPCH-29313]

Regular Edition (CD-Only): ¥3,000 (+Tax) [UPCH-20503]

*The First Press Limited Edition features a documentary and interview with the members discussing their activity since releasing Your Name. and Human Bloom.

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